THE Maritime Minister has promised to focus on upgrading port infrastructure while embracing new technology and tackling climate change.

Nusrat Ghani MP said in the Houses of Parliament the Government will give £30 million to support port infrastructure in the UK, as part of the Maritime 2050.

Her speech came just months after her visit to Harwich, among other port towns in the UK.

Ms Ghani said the £30 million has been made available as the country is embarking on a new relationship with the EU following Brexit.

She said: “Thinking about our offer on the world stage now more than ever is the UK’s ambitions to be the best performing international flag.

“But for me, it is about being the most ethical flag of choice.”

In the past few months she has busily travelled across the country to see how the ports have been responding to the Maritime 2050 programme.

Alongside several other ports she visited Harwich Haven Authority where she was updated about the planned harbour improvement project.

The project involves dredging Harwich harbour from 14.5 metres deep to 16 metres deep.

Ms Ghani added: “The breadth of work that I have seen gives me huge confidence that the sector is meeting the challenges we set out in Maritime 2050.”

Maritime 2050 aims to create a stable framework for the long-term development of the British shipping industry.

The key points of the strategy include using ships that can operate without a crew, establishing a ‘maritime innovation hub’, strengthening and diversifying the industry’s workforce, and focusing on decarbonisation and zero emission shipping.